Year-in and year-out, the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area boasts outstanding prep football talent and Penn State has often benefited from that. Evan Royster, Navorro Bowman, Deon Butler and Derrick Williams, to name a few, are Nittany Lions the area has recently produced.
The D.C.-area class of 2011 is no exception. One of the top prospects is defensive lineman Kevin McReynolds from St. John’s of the ultra-competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.
The 6-foot-3 and 274-pound McReynolds was a varsity starter at tight end during his sophomore season. He is playing defensive tackle this season, and going back and forth between tight end and tackle on the other side of the ball.
Recruiters are well aware of McReynolds.
“I have written offers from Maryland, Texas El Paso and New Mexico,” McReynolds said. “And I’m waiting to hear (about offers) from Cal and Pitt.”
The Nittany Lions are one of many other schools in contact with McReynolds.
“Right now it is very early in the process, but I’m interested in Florida, Oregon, Miami, Cal, Tennessee, Auburn, Vanderbilt, a lot of schools,” McReynolds said. “Penn State is a huge one. There’s a long list.”
McReynolds had plenty to say when asked about the Nittany Lions.
“They have one of the top programs in the nation,” McReynolds said. “There is a lot of tradition there. I love how Joe Paterno is there. He is one of the best coaches in the nation, if not the best coach in the nation.”
McReynolds would like to attend one of Penn State’s home games in the next few weeks. If and when he does, he will see at least one familiar face.
“I could possibly get up there in the next few weeks for a game,” McReynolds said. “If not, I’ll definitely get up there during the wrestling season. I have a good friend up there, Mike Wallace. We grew up together.”
This weekend, McReynolds will be in Ohio. St. John’s travels to take on Kettering Alter on Friday in what should be a thrilling matchup.
Kurelic’s Comment: McReynolds is a name Penn State fans will likely be hearing a good deal about over the next year-plus. He is a solid defensive tackle prospect who is very interested in the Nittany Lions.
Will capital gains continue with McReynolds?
